Indictments made for former Pickens Superintendent
News July 3, 2022
PICKENS COUNTY, Ga. – Two months after their arrest in Pickens County, Georgia’s Attorney General, Chris Carr, has announced indictments against former Pickens County School Superintendent Carlton Wilson and his wife, Cynthia Wilson, on charges of Racketeering, one count of Theft by Taking, and two counts of Theft by Conversion.
In April 2022, the two were arrested on allegations of thefts that occurred between November 2021 and January 2022.
Now, the indictments filed against the couple include six counts of Theft by Taking by a Fiduciary and one count of Theft by Deception. Cynthia Wilson was also separately indicted on one count of Tampering with Evidence. These indictments were presented to a Pickens County Grand Jury on June 7, 2022.
According to a release from the Attorney General’s Office,
Specifically, the indictment charges the defendants with the following which, if convicted, can carry the respective penalties:
- Racketeering in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-14-4: 5-20 years in custody and a fine of up to $25,000 or three times the pecuniary value gained by the accused.
- Theft by Taking in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2: 2-20 years in custody and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
- Theft by Conversion in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2: 12 months in custody and/or a fine of up to $1,000 where the value of the theft is less than $1,500.
- Theft by Conversion in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2: 1-10 years in custody and/or a fine of up to $100,000 where the value of the theft is greater than $5,000 and less than $24,999.
Carlton Wilson, separately:
- Theft by Taking by a Fiduciary in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2: 1-15 years in custody and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
- Theft by Deception in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2: 1-10 years in custody and/or a fine of up to $100,000 where the value of the theft is greater than $5,000 and less than $24,999.
Cindy Wilson, separately:
- Tampering with Evidence in violation of O.C.G.A. §16-10-94: 1-3 years in custody and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
Dr. Carlton Wilson had a brief time at the center of some debate as Superintendent of Pickens County Schools when he resigned amid numerous emergency meetings discussing the superintendent position and rumors that he was soon to be let go. Later, Wilson offered a letter to the citizens of Pickens County where he stated, ” I was not given any reason except several of the board members had lost confidence in my leadership. Several members of the Board did not like the direction I was leading the school system.” This letter came days after a failed 2-3 vote to reinstate Wilson as Superintendent, which came in the month after the 3-2 vote to accept his resignation in December 2019.
Then, according to the allegations in the warrants for arrests, later in 2020, Wilson served as the Victim Witness Coordinator for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office where he allegedly committed Theft by Deception by receiving over $6,300 in payroll checks through the Shared Leave Bank due to ongoing injuries preventing him from working, yet he worked at his gun range. They go on to state that these payroll checks were deposited into a private account which they allege were used “almost solely for online gambling activities or to pay gambling debts.”
Other allegations include the sale of property meant for the Boy Scouts and also allegedly used to fund his participation in online gambling activities and payments of debts derived from online gambling activities.
“Our office is committed to rooting out fraud and deception wherever it may occur,” said Attorney General Chris Carr as he announced the indictments on June 30, 2022, “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who steal from the pockets of hardworking Georgians for their own personal gain. We take these allegations very seriously, and we look forward to presenting our case in court.”
The indictments filed also note additional charges including Theft by Conversion and Theft by Taking according to allegations that Carlton Wilson took property and funds intended for Appalachian Gun Range and the operation of that business and converted these to his own use, violating agreements made.
Additionally, the indictments add the charge of tampering with evidence to Cynthia Wilson due to allegedly obstructing the view “of a security camera at Appalachian Gun Range.”
Both Carlton and Cynthia Wilson have entered pleas of “not guilty” according to the indictment records.
Former Superintendent Wilson arrested for theft in Pickens
News April 21, 2022
JASPER, Ga. – Warrants were served for the arrest of of Pickens County Schools’ former Superintendent Dr. Carlton Keith Wilson on charges that include both Theft by Deception and Theft by Taking.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Adult Detention Center have release the arrest records and warrants on Wilson, who was held in custody on $5,000 bail. Allegations say that these thefts occurred between November 2021 through January 2022. Dr. Wilson became Superintendent of Pickens Schools in May of 2017. He later resigned amid numerous emergency meetings called by the Board of Education in December 2019.
According to the warrants, in May 2020, Wilson served as the Victim Witness Coordinator for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. This came with an annual salary of $42,500. In September 2021, the Pickens Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved a Shared Leave Policy allowing employees to donate unused leave time into a Shared Leave Bank. Also in September 2021, the documents state that Wilson sustained injuries in a car accident. Fully expending his own leave, he applied to receive donated leave hours through the Share Leave Bank and was approved.
Former Pickens Schools Superintendent Dr. Carlton Wilson
During his leave, he allegedly began going to the Appalachian Gun Range, a business he owns with a partner and at which he was a firearms instructor. Detectives have investigated the business’ bank records stating that proceeds from the courses “are essential to the success of the company.” In January 2022, Wilson requested additional leave until April 2022, saying his doctor would not release him to work and that he had blood clots in his lungs and leg.
According to the Detectives investigation, during the approved leave time that lasted through January, they state that approximately 138 individuals took courses at the range. The warrants state that Wilson said he taught most of those courses. Under the charge of Theft by Deception, it is noted that Wilson received over $6,300 in payroll checks through the Shared Leave Bank. They go on to state that these payroll checks were deposited into a private account which they allege were used “almost solely for online gambling activities or to pay gambling debts.”
The warrants go on to note the Theft by Taking Offense as Wilson’s alleged operations through Scouts of Hill City Inc. (SHC Inc.), a non-profit organization. As an individual looked to donate 10 acres of land to the Boy Scouts of America in 2009 and were referred to Wilson, the land was eventually donated to Hill City Elementary PTO Inc. with the expressed intent to be used solely to benefit the Boy Scouts in Pickens County.
After BSA Troop 288 disbanded in 2015 and Cub Scout Pack 288 disbanded in 2016, the land was deeded to SHC Inc. in 2018. In 2021, SHC Inc. re-registered with Georgia’s Secretary of State with Wilson as the CEO. The land was split into two tracts and sold in September 2021 for $14,000 each with the funds, minus closing costs, deposited into the SHC Inc. accounts. The warrants state that this money was then used through checks written, payments to personal credit cards, and cashback to Wilson in order to fund “his participation in online gambling activities and payments of debts derived from online gambling activities.
According to documentation, that alleged activity included $1,520 cashback on September 9, 2021, a check for $9,000 on September 10, 2021, a check for $5,000 on September 21, 2021, a check for $5,000 on October 10, 2021, a direct electronic payment to a personal credit card for $5,000 on November 1, 2021, and a check for $900 on December 1, 2021.
These charges were filed with the Superior Court of Pickens County on April 19, 2022. See the full documents of these arrest warrants linked.
IMPACT Pickens calls for resignations from Pickens BOE
News April 28, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – In a meeting all there own, IMPACT Pickens, a group of citizens who have banded together against certain members of the Pickens Board of Education, called for resignation of Board Chairman Sue Finley.
They did so with a large presentation showing text messages. The massive collection of 350 pages obtained through an Open Records Request showed the text messages and statements of Finley, Young, and references to other board members. The entire presentation is available (video to the left) and the group is more than willing to offer digital copies of the texts on thumb drives.
These texts vary from fragments to whole sections of conversations. They were presented by the Impact Pickens Organization during the town hall meeting that many, including former Superintendent Dr. Rick Townsend, attended. Though Dr. Townsend didn’t speak much, he did answer a couple of question from citizens about timelines and extra funds the school had.
IMPACT Pickens President Steve Lowe expressed his aggravation and frustration that board members would be “plotting” anything, but said these texts show the plans set into motion to oust Dr. Townsend as Superintendent and bring back former Superintendent Dr. Carlton Wilson. These texts, Lowe showed, happened during meetings as well as during executive sessions at times. With the main focus of the presentation on this plan to bring back Wilson, there were also other points when Chris Pence, Treasurer of IMPACT Pickens and main presenter at the Town Hall, pointed out plans to get Finley appointed Chairman and Steve Smith appointed as Vice Chairman.
Chris Pence shows a text message obtained through the IMPACT Pickens Open Records Request during a presentation on April 24, 2021.
While Finley was appointed to Chairman, Smith was not appointed Vice-Chair. In one text, Finley stated, “The Queen is not happy.”
Pence said this was appalling as the text references the vice-chairman appointment. He said these texts messages and the fact that board members and administrators are planning things and discussing votes and intentions to vote outside of open board meeting, constitutes SACS violations. SACS is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Their better known parent company, AdvancED, operates accreditations and certifications and was among the main concerns of citizens when Townsend was in the process of being terminated.
That process was drug out as citizens’ outcry over the $500,000 payout and other implications came in to focus. That process continued as the Board of Education attempted to negotiate with Townsend to find a different position in the school system for him instead of Superintendent.
With Townsend declining the offers, the Board moved forward with the buyout.
Besides Townsend, the texts included plans for the appointment of Aaron Holland, allegations about Holland, and implications for future plans. One text from Young to Finley stated, “If those two knew Aaron it wouldn’t be 4-0. Lol”
The texts evolve between Holland and Finley discussing plans and motions, willingness to do something in his first meeting, and possibly waiting until January.
Other texts openly admit to an “underground network” with orders to praise “him” to his face to ensure good evaluations while Sue says they are working as fast as they can to “correct the situation.”
Pence also posed allegations that Board Attorney Phil Landrum allowed Finley to redact certain sections of the text messages at her choosing.
Many of the texts continue following and leading towards the removal of Townsend with Finley allegedly steering much of the operations to her own plans and desires. IMPACT Pickens highlighted only a portion of the texts in the packet, showing what they showed as the high points of the scheming.
One of the text messages from Tony Young specifically admits a meeting with “Phil” and “Amy” discussing a buyout number ready. IMPACT Pickens said this is a major issue as the text occurred on January 11, 2021 discussing buyout information and the termination of Dr. Townsend days before the emergency called three-hour executive session meeting of the Pickens BOE on January 15, 2021, or the “Emergency Called Meeting” of the Pickens BOE on January 18, 2021, discussing the termination of Dr. Rick Townsend.
Meeting in the Community Room, IMPACT Pickens presented their allegations against members of the Pickens Board of Education calling for recalls on April 24, 2021.
Additionally, early text messages before these emergency called meetings asked if the board should “bring Tony in before we ask Dr T to leave the room or after?”
The Organization has already spoken with SACS accreditation, Georgia’s Attorney General, and other agencies requesting investigations into the Board and these allegations.
Additionally, they are collecting signatures and moving forward with court cases of their own. Seeking board members and the Superintendent Tony Young to step down, the organization is pursuing recalls and any options they have available. They called for school personnel as well, but were warned that many teachers and staff have to worry about retaliation to their jobs or even their children in the school system.
In a separate video, Pence spoke to citizens thanking them for support. The organization operates through donations that they said they have used to acquire information such as the 350 page open records request for texts. He said, “I really think that now we’re showing the elected officials that the citizens are tired. We are tired of them wasting our money. We are tired of them not being ethical or moral.”
Lowe also commented on the response the organization has received from citizens saying, “We are really grateful for all you have done. It’s been humbling to see people come out…”
BOE confirms termination of Superintendent’s contract agenda
News January 17, 2021
JASPER, Ga. – After a recent special called meeting of the Pickens County Board of Education ended after three hours in executive session, all indications pointed towards discussions of termination the Superintendent’s Contract with Dr. Rick Townsend.
Rick Townsend, Superintendent of Pickens County Schools
FYN reported on citizens comments and sources relaying information confirming this as the next step along with a special called meeting for Monday, January 18, 2021.
Today, the Pickens BOE issued publications in advance of tomorrow’s 3 p.m. meeting confirming the agenda item titled “Termination of Superintendent’s Contract” along with “Appointment of an Interim Superintendent.”
With this on the same meeting agenda, the interim could potentially be someone already in position with the Board such as Assistant Superintendent Tony Young. However, there is no details available pointing to exactly who will be taking the Interim Superintendent Position.
It was exactly one year ago when the Pickens County Board of Education was going through the same process after the resignation of Dr. Carlton Wilson came amid procedures to dismiss him as well. He resigned on December 19, 2019, as was nearly reinstated the following month on January 9, 2020 when board member Sue Finley made the motion to re-appoint Dr. Wilson as Superintendent of Pickens County schools, seconded only by, then Vice Chairman, Steve Smith.
Pickens County Board of Education member, and former Chairman, Tucker Green
With obvious dissension amongst the Board of Education, the process continued under Interim Superintendent Dr. Charles Webb until Dr. Rick Townsend was hired. His contract becoming effective on April 27, 2020, Dr. Townsend was also hired by a split 3-2 vote.
He was praised by, then Board Chairman, Tucker Green who said, ““Dr. Townsend brings a wide array of educational experiences which is of great importance to the Board. Dr. Townsend’s experience at multiple levels, coupled with his proven track record of improving schools and school districts, was appealing to the Board. The Board also believes that Dr. Townsend is uniquely capable to provide clear leadership from the district level to the school level.”
Nine months later, the meeting will be held on January 18, 2021 with the agenda indicating that the Board will also terminate Townsend’s contract.